“I am not saying we have achieved everything we set out to do, but the country is immeasurably stronger”

David Cameron

The PM said: “What I have done for the last five years is lead a government that has got the economy growing, has got people back to work, has cut the taxes of the poorest people in our country.

“I am not saying we have achieved everything we set out to do, but the country is immeasurably stronger.”

But Mr Cameron accepted his Government had failed to meet his “no ifs no buts” pledge made in 2010 to get net immigration down to the tens of thousands over the course of the parliament.

GRILLED: Paxman gave the Labour leader a grilling [PA]

Mr Miliband won a coin toss and opted to face Paxman, 64, after Mr Cameron to set out his argument for winning the nation’s votes on May 7.

And he denied claims his brother David Miliband, 49, would have made a better Labour leader, saying: "I thought I was the best person to move the party on.”But he admitted the leadership contest between the two brothers had strained their relationship.